Residents of Blessington, Co Wicklow, were in shock following the tragic death of a local nine-year-old girl who died in hospital after she was hit by a car at approximately 5.40pm on the main N81 road through the town.

It's understood the schoolgirl, who has been named locally as Louise Fleming, lived in the nearby Blessington Abbey housing estate and was crossing the road to go to a forecourt shop with a group of friends.

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It's believed they ran ahead of her and she was struck by the car when she ran after them.

She was rushed to Naas General Hospital but died of her injuries a short time later.

The girl was a pupil of St Mary's Senior National School in Blessington. Principal Gerry Brown said: "It's just a tragic accident."

The accident was the second tragedy in the area over the past three weeks.

Local Co Wicklow GAA player and garda Ciaran Jones (25), from nearby Kilbride Manor died after he was swept away by a river during last month's torrential storms.

The off-duty garda was attempting to direct people away from the swollen river Liffey when he was swept in and drowned.

Last night, Wicklow county Cllr James Ruttle expressed condolences for the young victim's heartbroken family.

"It's coming very close after the drowning of Ciaran Jones," he told the Irish Independent last night.

"Everyone is devastated. It's a terrible tragedy," he said.

Local TD Billy Timmins, said the accident was yet more "dreadful news".

The road was closed off pending a forensic examination of the accident scene and traffic was diverted for several hours.

The tragedy was the third fatality involving road accidents over the past two days.

In north Cork, nursing student Joanne Herlihy (22), of Cromina, Co Cork, died when her car was involved in a head-on collision with a car on the N72 Mallow to Killarney road shortly before 9pm on Sunday.

A 37-year-old woman who was out walking in the early hours of Monday morning, died after being struck by a car on the Cork to Carrigaline road shortly before 2.45am.

Her name has not been released.

Meanwhile, an Irishman living in Holland has died after being crushed to death by his own car.

Dutch media reported that Anthony English (38) died following "a bizarre accident" on Sunday when he became wedged between his MG car and a parked vehicle when he tried to pushstart his car.